Harrogate Veterans FC play their part once again as England Seniors retain World Cup title

The team, which competes locally in the Harrogate & District Veterans and West Riding County FA Leagues, forms the core of the Three Lions squad that heads to Thailand every summer to represent their country on the international stage.

Although this year’s side had a slightly different look about it with the addition of a couple of big names, six local players still made it to the tournament, with manager Paul Bell and his assistant boss, Mark Smitheringale, continuing to oversee matters.

Last time around, England retained their title in controversial circumstances, losing to Australia on penalties in the competition’s final – a game which the holders knew they had already won before a ball was kicked due to their opponents’ decision to field a player who was ineligible.

But this time around, their star-studded squad, which featured eight ex-Premier League footballers and nine with EFL Championship experience, won the trophy in style.

Bell and his Three Lions cruised through all three of their group matches in comfortable fashion before thrashing old foes Australia at the semi-final stage, then demolishing France in the final.

And Harrogate Veterans regulars Ian Simpson, who is club captain and a 19-year veteran of the team, Paul Rickers, Lee Elam, Matty Wain, Steve Dickinson and Dom Blair all had roles to play.

“After the tight affairs of 2023 and 2024, and the controversial victory last year, we wanted to go out there and win it in style this time around, so recruited accordingly,” Bell said.

"And win it in style we did, but with Harrogate Veterans still very much at the heart of the squad, both playing for it and managing it.

"Lee Elam, as he has done before on this stage, sparkled amongst elite company, and started in four of the games, whilst the others were involved to regularly give other key players breaks in the intense heat and humidity.

"Steve Dickinson returned to the squad for his fourth campaign as our number two goalkeeper, going on to keep a clean sheet in his outing against the USA in the group stages. And, as well as playing, Ian Simpson also helped out Mark and myself in a management role.

“Although we have come a long way since it was mainly local players being selected, due to how the competition has evolved, I remain very proud of the contribution that the Harrogate players within the squad and the management team continue to make.

"In veterans football, it is about what you can still do rather than what you were able to do.”

England kicked things off with a 2-0 victory over host nation Thailand, before going on to beat Taiwan 4-1 and then the USA 3-0 in the group stages.

Having topped their group, they then faced-off with Australia at the last-four stage, recording a satisfying 5-2 success to reach the final.

Awaiting them there were tournament debutants France, but in 30 degree heat, the English delivered another fine display and romped to a 4-0 triumph.

This year’s squad was boosted significantly by the addition of former Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton midfielder Gareth Barry, a man who won 53 caps for England during his days as a professional.

Ex-Villa favourite Lee Hendrie was another new addition, while prolific striker Jamie Cureton and former Fulham and Spurs ace Sean Davis returned to play their part having won the tournament in previous years.

“This was our most consistent footballing performance for a few years,” added Bell, who has now led England to glory in nine of the 16 Seniors World Cups since its inception in 2008.

"It is only the third time we have gone there and won all five games, such are the challenging conditions and age rules.

“As always, the players who came in displayed a huge passion for representing England.”

On the impact of a player of the class of Barry, Bell continued: “Having someone of Gareth's calibre, with all he has achieved in his career, in our ranks was obviously special.

“Despite the fact he's no longer playing regularly, he started every game and, as you would expect, made everything look so simple.

“He is just a class act and a top guy."